A £40 million "West Ireland Line Service". connecting Galway to Cork via Shannon Airport and Limerick, is proposed in a consultant's report on the transportation needs for the Midwest.
Transport specialists Colin Buchanan consultants, commissioned by Limerick Corporation and County Council, set out a blueprint for 25 years of regional land use and transport strategy.
It argues that adequate road and rail infrastructure are the keys to economic development, stating that the lack of improvement of secondary roads, "if unchecked, could erode the commercial viability of the region as a whole". It proposes building the first series of rail links that would not radiate from Dublin but link the State's three other main cities.
"Capital costs are estimated at about £40 million and the consultant's calculations suggest that if this investment were made, a profitable two-hourly west of Ireland rail service could be introduced. This could be improved over time," the report states.
The report is on view at public libraries in Limerick, Nenagh and Ennis and people are invited to make their views known.
An Iarnr≤d ╔ireann spokesman said the initiative was welcome but the company was committed to its infrastructural renewal programme to 2003 at present. The proposed new 250-km rail link would use the Cork to Dublin line as far as Limerick Junction but provide a new direct link to Limerick, a new spur to Shannon Airport and on to Ennis, and use the existing line to Gort, Athenry and Galway. There are no passenger services between Ennis and Galway.
The new line "could offer speeds that would make it very competitive with coach and a reasonable alternative to the car for many long distance journeys", the report states.
It says the rail network's weaknesses are its single track layouts, outdated infrastructure and "a circuitous route to the North and little potential for local rail services". Mr Richard Tobin, co-ordinator with the Planning Land Use Transportation Study (PLUTS) and a senior planner with Limerick Corporation, said the plan would achieve greater sustainability in development and reduce traffic and parking in the city.
A separate submission by economic consultant Brendan Lynch to the Government suggests a £20 million rail link from Limerick to Shannon.
Although Mr Lynch has dismissed extending the "West Ireland" line from Galway to Sligo because of low population densities, the Connacht-based Western Inter-County Railway Committee is arguing this case.
Colin Buchanan also looks at improvements beyond the current National Roads Authority schemes, particularly for Limerick to Foynes. More than 25 links in the road network, where more capacity will be needed by 2026, are identified. By then the population of the Limerick region of 216,000 [1996 level] will have grown by about a quarter and the labour force by a half.
The report warns that a toll system for the tunnel being built under the Shannon at Limerick would divert traffic back into the city centre.
"However, a city centre traffic management scheme would prevent this."
Shannon Airport's development is hampered by the road network weaknesses and the lack of a rail connection.
"The airport also needs to exploit its potential as Ireland's second international airport and to reach some accommodation with its competitors at Kerry, Galway and Knock."
The Colin Buchanan report says Limerick city needs to address its traffic congestion and its "somewhat run-down image" which are "in part caused by heavy, through traffic. But they are also caused by traffic terminating within the centre and by casual on-street parking and the difficulties of loading/ unloading."
They add that the city needs to play on its strengths, notably its waterfront.In a separate development, the corporation has selected the Nicholas de Jong entry from four others in its architectural competition to re-design the city centre. The London-based architects are planning a major feature at the entrance of William Street and Bedford Row, and a pedestrianised area along O'Connell Street.
A detailed presentation of the entry is to be made to the city council next month.".